Fair Catch Read Online Free Page B

pulled down into a frown. “Mom, can’t we stay just a little longer?”
    “If you want me to read you more than one story, then you better come right now.” Her voice came off a little sharper than normal. She started to blame it on Thomas, but made herself stop. Softening her voice, she held out her hand. “Come on, sweetie. Tell Betsy goodnight.”
    Cade reluctantly took his mother’s hand and mumbled a farewell.
    She met Betsy’s gaze, reading compassion in them. “Thanks again. I’ll think about what you said. Okay?” Ellie couldn’t quite make a full concession. Deep down, she knew by refusing to date or even talk about dating, Thomas still had control over her life.
    “Okay.” Betsy sighed. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
    As Ellie walked home with Cade, her eyes flickered over to the house across the street. Meeting her new neighbor was inevitable. She shouldn’t have made such a big deal out of it. Maybe tomorrow she would meet him…or the next. It’s not like he was going anywhere.
    Before going inside, she and Cade checked the mailbox. Her parents were sending a CD of pictures and she hoped it had come today. She sorted through the bundle of letters, disappointed to find there were only bills.
    "Did it come?” Cade asked.
    “Nope.” She tousled his blond hair. “Maybe tomorrow.”
    Ellie resisted the urge to look at the new guy’s house, and took Cade by the hand, leading him inside to get ready for bed.
    * * *
    Nick circled the path, thinking about the blonde and wishing he could’ve talked to her for more than a few seconds. She was beautiful. Her pixie like face made her look young—but her body definitely belonged to a woman. He glanced across the trail and noticed she was gone.
    At first, he’d had the impulse to follow her, but the way she had bolted made him stop. After all, he was an unknown man and she was alone. She obviously hadn’t recognized him. He wasn’t sure if he should be relieved or offended.
    As the sun made its decent into the western sky, fatigue of the long day finally caught up with Nick. He was tired and wanted nothing more than a hot shower and his soft bed. He cut across the green space and headed for his new home.
    He stepped inside the door and shucked off his shoes and socks. The wood floor felt cool to his feet as he crossed the entryway to the kitchen to get a drink of water. As he flipped on the kitchen light, he saw all the boxes stacked on the counter and floor. Nothing had been unpacked.
    Turning on the kitchen sink, Nick ducked down and drank the water right from the tap. A minute later, he turned off the sink and swiped a hand across his mouth as he glanced at the microwave clock. It was still fairly early, but he didn’t feel like doing any work. Right now, even making his bed sounded difficult.
    Not having his house put together made it seem even emptier. He wasn’t sure why he was suddenly feeling so blue. Maybe he would host a party. He could invite potential supporters while making some new friends. Tomorrow he would arrange to get his Dish Network set up.
    Nick peeled his dirty shirt off and tossed it in the laundry room before going into the living room where he’d left his suitcase. The setting sun cast an orange hue on the plush off-white carpet. He moved in front of the large picture window and reached out a hand to close the wood blinds. His heart almost stopped beating as he stared with incredulity at the house across the street. Of all the rotten luck.
     
     

 
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Three
     
     
    Laughing derisively, Nick shook his head in disbelief. The gorgeous blonde from the jogging trail stood by her mailbox across the street, sorting through the contents. The little boy who liked Oreos was standing beside her. Then they walked into the house, which meant she was the kid’s mom.
    Perfect.
    She was married.
    Disappointment twisted his gut as he grabbed his duffel bag and headed upstairs. No wonder she’d run away from